ADP lauds Olubadan, chiefs over resolution of chieftaincy crisis

THE Action Democratic Party (ADP) has lauded the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and members of the Olubadan-in-Council for the resolution of the chieftaincy crisis that has pitched them against one another in the last one year.

The party, in a statement made available to the Tribune Online on Tuesday by its Acting Director of Media Relations, Alhaja Quadrat Adewoyin, the meeting held at the Popoyemoja Palace of the Olubadan was a sign of good things to come to the ancient city.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland and the members of the Olubadan-in-Council had been at loggerhead since last year when the Oyo State government promoted the chiefs to the status of obas against the counsel of the Olubadan.

The traditional ruler challenged the promotion in court and the court declared the new Olubadan Chieftaincy Law enacted by the state government as illegal, but the government went ahead to appeal the judgement.

ADP, in its statement, noted that the coming together of the Olubadan and the chiefs was a welcome development as it would help the city to put the chieftaincy crisis behind it and face the challenges facing the city of Ibadan.

The party commended the Olubadan for proving himself as a father who was willing to forgive and make necessary sacrifices for peace and the development of the city.

ADP also commended the chiefs for shifting from their hard-line position in the interest of the people and also Ibadan leaders, including Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan, who were reported to have been involved in the efforts at reconciling the Olubadan and the chiefs.

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“ADP recognises the important role obas and chiefs play in our dear state and we shall stop at nothing to preserve their honour, integrity and welfare.

“We acknowledge that many crisis in our communities are nipped in the bud by the intervention of our obas and chiefs and we, therefore, shall make all provisions that will make them continue to play this laudable role, including the preservation of our cultural heritage.

“A government of the ADP will rely on the wise counsel of our obas and chiefs on issues of governance because they are close to the grassroots and they daily feel the pulse of our people at the grassroots.

“All constitutional provisions on the welfare of our obas will be respected and the government will show them the respect deserving of their positions, in words and conduct,” the statement read.

The party also advised the state government to show respect to “traditional institutions in words and conduct, in deference to our cultural heritage which the obas and chiefs represent.”